Great video, but - oops - you’re wrong on the effect send (reverb/delay) section at 14:25. On the CP it can be set globally but also individually per section. Same as on the YC!!
I tried the CP73 and YC61 and it unsurprisingly came down to piano focus with piano style keys vs organ focus with organ keys and draw bars. I kept the CP73. For my playing I didn't need all the organ variations. The YC61 is a lovely size though and loads of fun. It's great above the CP73/88 (how Jack has it). Having both would be awesome :-) The keybeds on the 88 versions are supposed to be even better. The CP & YC feel well built, are well designed and sound amazing.
I'm a bit puzzled why Yamaha would offer the YC with a weighted and graded keybed. It's clearly organ orientated and, even though I'm not an organ player, I can't see myself doing glissandos on anything but waterfall keys... Playing organ on a weighted action seems unnatural to me, same with playing piano on a synth or semi-weighted action. But there must be a market for it, clearly, don't think Yamaha would have bothered if there wasn't... Anyway, been eyeing a CP88 for some time now, beautiful action and such a cool stage piano !
@@jameselias Piano and organ glissandos are done very differently. Piano glissandos are done with the hand inverted, using your nail. Organ glissandos are typically done using the palm to smash the keys down. The different technique is due to the differing actions between the instruments and the force required for a smooth, fast gliss. Because organ glisses are so easy, it is much more common as an integral part of playing, rather than a dramatic flourish as it tends to be on piano. Also, it's true that organs have shorter keyboards, but many of them also have two manuals. You can set these to different tones which are more bass and treble oriented, so the effect is to have more keyboard range than is actually present. Finally, the whole playing style is very different between the instruments. Pianos are played rather percussively, and the sustain pedal removes the need to keep the keys depressed in order to get a smooth legato. By contrast, organ keys tend to be depressed rather than struck, and you need to learn to keep keys depressed in order to play smoothly, as the sound stops immediately when the key is released. All that said, weighted stage keyboards tend to be a lot lighter in action as compared to real acoustic pianos, so playing in an organ-like style on them is usually not so difficult.
@@jameselias Ok, fair enough. I guess my point was that organ and piano glissandos are very different, so I could see where an organist would have trouble imagining using a piano to do them in his style. The fact that Jerry Lee Lewis can also do a different kind of glissando on piano isn't totally relevant. As it happens, I have a bunch of 88-key weighted instruments (a Kronos, a Kurzweil PC3K8, etc.) that I play organ on all the time, so you're absolutely right that it can be easily done. I also play piano on them, so I wouldn't want the unweighted versions.
Doing ‘organ like’ glissandos on a piano keybed can be, well, painful, just because of the way piano keys are shaped. That’s also why waterfall keys are shaped the way they are, I guess. But maybe I see things too black and white (no pun intended). Personally, I would prefer to have a CP88 on the bottom tier and a YC61 on top, to have the best of both worlds. But that’s just me, don’t shoot my head off... 😉
As a piano player for a worship group, so happy to see the YC88/YC73. Nord finally has some competition for thousands less. So much offerings for the money.
I definitely dont think it wuld make sense on this type of keyboard....they know that only professionals purchase this....so if you can afford one you can also afford studio monitors which have higher and better sound quality
Agree re speakers. Yes they're mostly aimed at gigging pros but the beautiful user interface and endless tweakability mean the CP/YC also make great home pianos, where speakers make more sense.
Thanks Mate, that was a really important presentation. I am going for the CP88 ´cause I think the YC88 is rather somth for organ guys and for people that have time to drill into 1.000 sounds etc. I also prefer the Yamaha against the NORD because of the keyboard. The Yamaha keyboard is - for me - unbeatable. Just wonderful and a real Piano keyboard. While the NORD is a compromise for those guys that also need a real good organ.
Thank you for a great comparison. It's unfortunate that the YC is organ focused yet doesn't actually have an original Yamaha YC sound in it. That was one of a few issues that steered me toward the Hammond SK Pro. The Yamaha YC organ sound is so-so in comparison. If I wanted more of a piano, the CP looks and sounds wonderful.
Excellent Video and review. I love the YC88, I managed to get my church to order me one, since I'm stuck at home doing cds and videos for them, it does mean get to keep my modx8 just for gig use now. Great stuff ! I'm a fan of your channel .. most of my equipment is mainly Yamaha , (modx8, montage 8, moxf8 and mx88)
I sold my mx88 and psr-s670 so I could get the Fantom 8. Best decision I’ve made for a long time. It’s a fantastic keyboard. Now I’m looking for double tier keyboard stands.
@@duketranslucent3rd Modx8 is ideal for gigging since it’s lighter to carry over the montage. I have the Montage purely for my studio use and can copy over patches I need to also work on the Modx8 if I need to.. I don’t like using MainStage.
Good explanation of who each one is targeted for. Now compare with the Roland RD-2000 because for stage piano it is also a great controller keyboard. But more important Roland hasn't done anything to update the RD-2000 in ages and needs a kick in the arse to do an update.
"Ages" in this case being less than 4 years. It only came out in 2017. And a very substantial OS upgrade has added new sounds and capabilities since then. Not that I wouldn't like to see a new model with some improvements, but stage pianos don't usually get updated very often. Heck, even the Montage is 4 years old now and the Kronos is over 10 years old with only minor updates..
The RD is the beast that does everything. Two reasons not to buy it: 1) it looks terrible, with a confused interface (the CP, Nord boards etc are oil paintings next to the RD) 2) If you're an organ-centric player. But apart from that, wow.
Great comparison, but why in earth is this video in mono? That's not doing both boards a favor... There's two plugs coming out of the YC, so it likes the intention was to give us the complete picture. Was it messed up in videoediting?
Specific question: Is it possible to make pads darker/brighter with the CP88? On the YC88 the Keys section has a filter knob with witch you can adjust cutoff/resonance. This lacks on the sub section of the CP88. Is it possible to do it with the tone knob on the CP? Thanks in advance and great video btw! :)
Although both are basically the same sounds.the YC has more to offer with the obvious added features/organs and draw bars (like the Nord)...thus the price difference.
I like that there’s an FM synth in the YC. If the pianos are the same engine in both cp and yc I would want a yc73 because I’m mainly a piano guy. And I love “real” fm sounds. But anybody know if the yc73 has the same keybed as the cp73? And did Yamaha solve the cp73 black key velocity problem yet?
My dilemma is looking at the YC or Nord Electro 6 HD. I prefer the feeling of the nord but I like the YC had actual drawbars with hammer weighted. Me personally thanks the Yamaha is heavy but I also think there acoustic are too heavy too.
What's a good board to go for if you want more sounds like at 17:00 and onwards, the FM sounds I believe they were. Synths and leads etc. That pad sounded beautiful
You might also want to look into a Roland VR09 which has nice organ and synth sounds and pads and costs less than a YC. Many UA-cam reviews on it that you can check out.
I have a CP88 but the organ is clearly wanting which is why they came out with the YC I guess. I too prefer a lighter action for organ also, so I’m planning to get a Roland VR09b which has great sounding organ with drawbars, synth sounds and synth type action and is cheaper than the YC. Best of both worlds with those two keyboards.
@@volksbahn I forget if in my research I learned that the keyboard for the vr09 and vr730 are identical or not. I ended up getting a vr730 which has a waterfall keyboard which is great for organ and synth.
@@stevestone7085 Thanks. That actually confirms it for me. My only hesitation is that these are old boards and I might regret if for some miraculous reason Roland comes up with a newer version soon. But thanks for the nudge.
🥰 . . . I think you guys should include the keyboard amps you're using with the particular keyboard you are demoing so that we'll have the idea which keyboard amp sounds good with this or that and so on . . . Thanks thanks, Benjie/Philippines. 🥰
The YC series is Yamaha's brilliant idea. Unfortunately, this model has a terrible flaw. It cannot be that in the 21st century an instrument costing $3,000 can combine only two sounds plus Hammond. Nord has been struggling with this for many years, users complained about too few options for combining sounds. Yamaha has created an instrument that could be a competition for the Nord, but it is only for the Nord Electro... is it really impossible to update the system where, after turning on panel A or B, 1 and 2 appear on the display? Thus, we gain a combination of 4 sounds from sections A and B??? I think such a move would greatly contribute to the success of this instrument.
Absolutely fantastic review. You've answered my main question around these two instruments - like whats the purpose of each? and you've answered it for me. Funnily enough I was about to buy a CP88 last year (from a retailer I won't name) and ended up buying an inline speaker array system instead 🤪. Still intend to get a new master piano keyboard and these two are definitely in my line of sight. Thanks for your review i'll definitely be checking out your website when looking to purchase.
Just to confuse the matter further, there's the MODX8. The MODX has the AWM CFX piano sample and many electric pianos. It has a full FM synth built in. And it has some decent organs. There is a very complete and complex FX section that easily beats the other two. Plus it has a color touchscreen which lets you program sounds and create set lists. So why is it actually cheaper than the CP or YC? It has a cheaper keyboard action, although it's usable. It has no physical drawbars. And you often need to use the touchscreen or even menus when accessing functions, whereas the YC and CP have dedicated switches for most things, like a Nord. But in many ways, it's much more powerful, with sound changes through the Superknob and a high level of virtual and FM synth programmability. If you're mostly a pianist, than you might prefer the simplicity and better action on the CP. If you're mostly an organist, than the YC is specialized for that (although the waterfall key models might be better). But if you're looking for an inexpensive, portable keyboard that does it all and offers a wide range of sound and performance options at a good price, than the MODX8 is hard to beat. The MODX does nearly everything that the flagship Montage does for about half the price (and with far more portability).
Modx makes a great satelite but the 8 is a pointless mainboard as it has a terrible action. You might as well stick with keybeds 10 years older. Modx sweetspot is its power under the hood. Mini-montage effectively. Hence the initial part of my comment. Most of our expression is in touch. The mp11se being the only competitor in class. That is 'why'. CP/YC is a world leap in key response. If you don't believe me refer to Belle and Nahre. They have classical experience as well but unlike me extensive YT channels of their own.
@@libertylizard_ Sure, if you want the absolute best action and don't care about portability than the MP11SE is great. And, as I said, for pure pianists or pure organists, the CP or YC have advantages. For that matter, if price and portability don't matter, than the Montage is great. But the MODX is still a great all-arounder at a great price. It's not for everybody, but neither are any of these other boards. And the action isn't the best, but it's better than a Nord Stage that costs way more.
Oh we can agree on Nord. It's a waste of money compared to a whole variety of other options. I can see it in the sense that some people must have a do all single board. But those settings are few and far between. I see little purpose in the YC personally as I do for the Nords with those respective features (hybrid). Dedicated devices offer more overall I feel. I wasn't bashing the Modx - I own the 7, as well as many other Yamaha devices. I am not a brand snob in any sense. Rather just to note that one must take into account the key things something offers. Montage lite- is how I come to refer to the modx's and thats not an insult; as the portability affords you the same benefit that not carrying the Mp11 tank around does. Having access to the FM and more is priceless. For a keybed though its less than ideal for a main performance now that CP is on the floor. Something I see as the compromise between keybed and portability over the Kawai Mp11 as above.
As you can use the audio interface on booth and mix the audio output to keyboards, it could be an important decision on that, since you could use a good laptop to work together. There is great area on top right to put the new Mac book air M1.
Did something go wrong with this upload? Mono audio!! - really not doing these Yamaha boards justice at all. In decent quality stereo the CP's pianos sound extremely good but thin and one dimensional in mono.
So I bought a CP 88, & i was really happy with it...for about a week.The bloody thing started playing up at a gig. The reverb kept switching itself on by itself & the banks of lights kept flickering when played vigorously, then finally the whole thing powered off. Shame, & a surprise as iv'e owned several Yamaha keys in the past & I've always found them super reliable & never had an issue, although i've since discovered that i am not alone in having problems with the CP. I returned it & went for the YC88 instead, as the CP's were out of stock for a month anyway & I didn't want to wait. I'm pretty glad i did, even though i'm primarily a piano/electric piano player rather than organ & synth player, it's good to have the option without dragging around a separate keyboard for one or two tunes, & the key beds are the same.. Also the effects are much more extensive & usable on the YC. Touch faux ivory no problems yet, but unlike last time i haven't thrown the box it came in away quite yet.
Recently purchased and sent my CP88 back. There was very noticeable keybed noise on every note while playing all piano samplings (even though the piano sounds were excellent). And the Ab above the octave plinked in stead of resonating. Musicians Friend took it back right away but, all in all a bad experience. Yamaha's has developed a slap together factory mentality and to save money really low balled the Keybed. Cheap aluminum frame as well. There are many great features on it but the above mentioned issue's were a deal breaker.
@@alexanderyozzo sadly there are more CP88 lemons out there than most realize. Many frustrated owners have reached out to me. Just alerting the keyboard community. Yamaha needs to own up to this.
Also - if they've put a whole FM engine in there, doesn't it seem weird that you can't do your own FM patches? They're so close to having something to at least vaguely rival the synth aspect of the Nord... but they haven't gone there :/
Agreed. Nothing in the stage piano sector rivals the Stage in terms of synth. But I guess that's partly why the Stage is so vastly expensive. It also has a much worse key action than the CP/YC if you're coming from a piano background.
Great video Jack!!! I bought the YC88 for the exact reasons you differentiate the two. I passed on the CP88 because for a rock band it is way too limited. The YC88 has it all, meaning everything that the CP88 was missing, and they already did an OS update with new pianos which I updated immediately. They say every 6 to 8 months there will be more. No brainer for me. Love the piano and what it is capable of !!!! AMAZING action. Is it me, or does it feel a bit better than the CP88? I had the CP4 before I bought the Korg Grandstage 88 {having passed on the CP88} The CP88 action was supposed to be the same as CP4 and YC88 but I did not feel that and I am loving the YC 88 action. Your thoughts since you A/Bd them?
Jack , nobody seems to give me answer to this question - does the cp88 have a "smart chord " facility so I can get a suitable chord pressing only one note ? it may be called something else ....
Get the CP and a dedicated organ. Don't buy hybrids if you have any intention of taking music seriously. They are wasted money outside of very niche band settings.
Sorry mate. The YC-73 has balanced hammer action keys. The only semi weighted key model is the YC-61. The YC-73 may not be as heavy as the 88 but it will have a little weight to it.
Able Sam I'm not worried about the weight too much. I'm pretty sure the balanced keys aren't as heavily weighted as the 88key model. Weighted keys make no sense on a keyboard that's so heavily skewed toward organ players.
@@officialWWM I hear ya. Yamaha has a reputation for some for doing sketchy things on their products (not in a bad way). I think it mainly has to do with the fact because they make high end pianos (CFX,C-7), an 88 key model was necessary for them. Plus I am sure they also had pianists in mind when creating this product.
Able Sam I would love an 88 key version with waterfall keys that could split the into top and bottom manuals. I don't care about weighted keys cause I'm not a pianist.
Thank you so much for going over the effects sections! I didn't realize the YC had such an advantage over the CP. I had to sell my CP73 and want to get another but after watching this the YC is sounding pretty darn good to me 🤔
I wouldn’t say it has an advantage. It’s just different. He kinda undersold the CP effects and said a few incorrect statements. On the CP Reverb can be either global or independent per sound. Same with delay. Piano has one effect section, EP has two, synth has 1. Which are kinda focused for their respective sounds. But you can put rotary on piano, or auto wash on synth with the use of advanced mode.
…it doesn’t. The key difference is the organ, for the rest, esp. Piano, it’s either CP being slightly ahead or head to head… demo is slightly misleading.
Yahamas virtual tech is nowhere near as good as Kawai’s virtual tech. Yahama does not have the LET UP feature on their action, nor even midi thru ports Eithor which is what has always kind of turned me away from them. It makes you wonder why they’ve made boards for years but they haven’t followed kawais example or made a board similar to them. Maybe one day I’ll get a yc88 but I’ve always been a kawai guy. Great review Jack!
I saw a YC88 today - and was immediately drawn to the small silver coloured switches - they look and feel cheap and nasty - something you would use on a home made kit. You can buy these for 20p! Its put me right off. I'm wondering what the designers were thinking - there are classier looking toggle switches available
Se o YC e o CP fosse um único, seria imbatível! Acho um pouco tolo a yamaha não colocar todo seu potencial em 1 único stage! Esse seria "o sonho de consumo"
How do these compare to the Modx8, for instance? Especially in terms of playability, feel, action, as well as piano capabilities? How are these different? Also it doesn't seem like the YC is that much more expensive than the CP.
At current prices it varies from between £300-500 more. The cheapest you can get the YC88 for right now is £2,000 (and to be honest that's an aggressive price drop - elsewhere it's at least a few hundred more than that) while the cheapest you can get the CP88 is £1,700. As for the MODX, worse (lighter) action by far. Very playable, but if you're coming from a piano background it probably won't do. (It has decent piano patches, though e.g. CFX, S700.) On the flip side, infinitely more sounds and sound crafting, arps, patterns, scenes, motion sequencer etc. It's a full work station, which also means much, much more menu-diving.
@@duketranslucent3rd Thanks. Yes, it's a percentage difference between CP and YC, but not like it's TWICE or such. As for the Modx, I hear the action is better on the Modx8 than the smaller versions. Did you refer to the Modx8 specifically? I'm not from a serious piano background, but the concept of me getting a keyboard is because I don't want to, and don't warrant, a real piano, and I'd like to get back into playing. I have an old DX7, but I haven't played in a while, and partly because that action just isn't up to snuff. So I'm torn a bit between having the additional synth capabilities, or a better piano replicator. To me, it comes down to how strong each one is, in each regard. If the Modx8, for instance, is 90% as good as the CP/YC, in terms of feel/action, I'd probably go that way. But if it were only 40-50% as good, I'd definitely go CP/YC
@@stellijer Yes I was referring to the MODX 8. That has graded hammer action (off the top of my head I believe it's Yamaha's GHS keybed) whereas the 73 and 61 have semi-weifhted and waterfall respectively. Is the MODX 8 action 90% as good as the CP/YC88's? No where near. Probably about 60%.But again I'm talking from a pianist's point of view so others may disagree. (Indeed, some users not from an acoustic piano background find this NW-GH action too heavy.) But I'd focus on what sort of instrument you want. The MODX is complicated and menu-heavy, while these two are immediate and tactile. If you want immediacy, a (slightly) softer action and a cheaper price the Korg SV-2 is worth a look, too. Sexy as hell, too, and even has a version with onboard speakers.
Is there anything the CP88 does that the YC88 can’t or maybe not as well? For the extra money I wouldn’t think so but I think it’s a fair question for a consumer.
I want to tell Yamaha... Even though it was more expensive, if I had combined the YC88 and CP88, it would have been successful worldwide. ..... EP, DX, piano engines are all the same... It wouldn't have been difficult...
We filmed a video last week comparing it to the Nord Stage 3, check it out & let us know what you think? It was a close comparison! | ua-cam.com/video/EEe1t2bs2FE/v-deo.html
I think Yamaha of late, have completely lost the plot. They seem to be obsesed with copying Nord with the introduction of those ghastly little switches knobs and buttons and seperate sections. Which make for a messy user interface. Compared with the Moxf8 neither of these boards come close.
Well, if you prefer the MOXF interface, than you should buy its replacement the MODX. This has a color touchscreen and improves on the MOXF in every way, but the number of switches is fairly modest, with most configuration and programming done through the touchscreen.
Horses for courses and all that. I think the Nord-esaue interface is fantastic and very tactile, wich inspires me much more to play and experiment. If you don't want that, you want something like the MODX, which I had and is a stunning machine, but menu-diving central, which for me felt too much like working at a computer.
Want to hear the Yamaha YC88 battle against the Nord Stage 3 & Korg SV2?
Check out our shootout here! | ua-cam.com/video/GHA317YJx6o/v-deo.html
The good gentleman Jack always doing the videos that are on our minds. Literally wanted this video after that recent YC 88 vid.
Great video, but - oops - you’re wrong on the effect send (reverb/delay) section at 14:25. On the CP it can be set globally but also individually per section. Same as on the YC!!
I tried the CP73 and YC61 and it unsurprisingly came down to piano focus with piano style keys vs organ focus with organ keys and draw bars. I kept the CP73. For my playing I didn't need all the organ variations. The YC61 is a lovely size though and loads of fun. It's great above the CP73/88 (how Jack has it). Having both would be awesome :-) The keybeds on the 88 versions are supposed to be even better. The CP & YC feel well built, are well designed and sound amazing.
I'm a bit puzzled why Yamaha would offer the YC with a weighted and graded keybed. It's clearly organ orientated and, even though I'm not an organ player, I can't see myself doing glissandos on anything but waterfall keys... Playing organ on a weighted action seems unnatural to me, same with playing piano on a synth or semi-weighted action. But there must be a market for it, clearly, don't think Yamaha would have bothered if there wasn't... Anyway, been eyeing a CP88 for some time now, beautiful action and such a cool stage piano !
They are pianists who are also organists too and just want one super keyboard that can give them the best of both worlds.
@@simbaking6338 yeah man. This is essentially a nord stage right? Its literally got everything!
@@jameselias Piano and organ glissandos are done very differently. Piano glissandos are done with the hand inverted, using your nail. Organ glissandos are typically done using the palm to smash the keys down. The different technique is due to the differing actions between the instruments and the force required for a smooth, fast gliss. Because organ glisses are so easy, it is much more common as an integral part of playing, rather than a dramatic flourish as it tends to be on piano.
Also, it's true that organs have shorter keyboards, but many of them also have two manuals. You can set these to different tones which are more bass and treble oriented, so the effect is to have more keyboard range than is actually present.
Finally, the whole playing style is very different between the instruments. Pianos are played rather percussively, and the sustain pedal removes the need to keep the keys depressed in order to get a smooth legato. By contrast, organ keys tend to be depressed rather than struck, and you need to learn to keep keys depressed in order to play smoothly, as the sound stops immediately when the key is released.
All that said, weighted stage keyboards tend to be a lot lighter in action as compared to real acoustic pianos, so playing in an organ-like style on them is usually not so difficult.
@@jameselias Ok, fair enough. I guess my point was that organ and piano glissandos are very different, so I could see where an organist would have trouble imagining using a piano to do them in his style. The fact that Jerry Lee Lewis can also do a different kind of glissando on piano isn't totally relevant. As it happens, I have a bunch of 88-key weighted instruments (a Kronos, a Kurzweil PC3K8, etc.) that I play organ on all the time, so you're absolutely right that it can be easily done. I also play piano on them, so I wouldn't want the unweighted versions.
Doing ‘organ like’ glissandos on a piano keybed can be, well, painful, just because of the way piano keys are shaped. That’s also why waterfall keys are shaped the way they are, I guess. But maybe I see things too black and white (no pun intended). Personally, I would prefer to have a CP88 on the bottom tier and a YC61 on top, to have the best of both worlds. But that’s just me, don’t shoot my head off... 😉
Thank you very much making my decission. Now I will buy the CP88 since I already use the YC61. I think I have now the best from both worlds.
As a piano player for a worship group, so happy to see the YC88/YC73. Nord finally has some competition for thousands less. So much offerings for the money.
So, CP an YC are "Nordzed" Yamahas.
Yamaha's electric pianos and organs have improved a lot!
You should watch "thepianoforever"'s nord reviews, he finds some flaws unforgivable at those prices
All these tones will sound completely different (and much better) in stereo!
The YC changed my mind about Nord... As a worship leader and Producer the YC gives me all that I could look for in a Nord... Just lovely
They both are great and look gorgeous... I wish Yamaha did a built-in speakers variant (something like SV2s)
I definitely dont think it wuld make sense on this type of keyboard....they know that only professionals purchase this....so if you can afford one you can also afford studio monitors which have higher and better sound quality
Agree re speakers. Yes they're mostly aimed at gigging pros but the beautiful user interface and endless tweakability mean the CP/YC also make great home pianos, where speakers make more sense.
curiosamente si pasó, ahora salió la linea CK JAJAJA
Thanks Mate, that was a really important presentation. I am going for the CP88 ´cause I think the YC88 is rather somth for organ guys and for people that have time to drill into 1.000 sounds etc.
I also prefer the Yamaha against the NORD because of the keyboard. The Yamaha keyboard is - for me - unbeatable. Just wonderful and a real Piano keyboard. While the NORD is a compromise for those guys that also need a real good organ.
Just good to watch Jack doing his thing. He sure cures the lockdown blues.
Thank you for a great comparison. It's unfortunate that the YC is organ focused yet doesn't actually have an original Yamaha YC sound in it. That was one of a few issues that steered me toward the Hammond SK Pro. The Yamaha YC organ sound is so-so in comparison. If I wanted more of a piano, the CP looks and sounds wonderful.
Excellent Video and review. I love the YC88, I managed to get my church to order me one, since I'm stuck at home doing cds and videos for them, it does mean get to keep my modx8 just for gig use now. Great stuff ! I'm a fan of your channel .. most of my equipment is mainly Yamaha , (modx8, montage 8, moxf8 and mx88)
That’s a lot of keyboards
I sold my mx88 and psr-s670 so I could get the Fantom 8. Best decision I’ve made for a long time. It’s a fantastic keyboard. Now I’m looking for double tier keyboard stands.
Just curious, but why would you want both a MODX 8 and a Montage 8?
@@duketranslucent3rd Modx8 is ideal for gigging since it’s lighter to carry over the montage. I have the Montage purely for my studio use and can copy over patches I need to also work on the Modx8 if I need to.. I don’t like using MainStage.
You can adjust the reverb amount for each section on both of the keyboards and not only on the yc88 :)
+1. Very true.
Probably among the top 5 most asked question in the last few years
Good explanation of who each one is targeted for. Now compare with the Roland RD-2000 because for stage piano it is also a great controller keyboard. But more important Roland hasn't done anything to update the RD-2000 in ages and needs a kick in the arse to do an update.
"Ages" in this case being less than 4 years. It only came out in 2017. And a very substantial OS upgrade has added new sounds and capabilities since then. Not that I wouldn't like to see a new model with some improvements, but stage pianos don't usually get updated very often. Heck, even the Montage is 4 years old now and the Kronos is over 10 years old with only minor updates..
The RD is the beast that does everything. Two reasons not to buy it: 1) it looks terrible, with a confused interface (the CP, Nord boards etc are oil paintings next to the RD) 2) If you're an organ-centric player. But apart from that, wow.
Great comparison, but why in earth is this video in mono? That's not doing both boards a favor... There's two plugs coming out of the YC, so it likes the intention was to give us the complete picture. Was it messed up in videoediting?
Specific question: Is it possible to make pads darker/brighter with the CP88?
On the YC88 the Keys section has a filter knob with witch you can adjust cutoff/resonance.
This lacks on the sub section of the CP88. Is it possible to do it with the tone knob on the CP?
Thanks in advance and great video btw! :)
Although both are basically the same sounds.the YC has more to offer with the obvious added features/organs and draw bars (like the Nord)...thus the price difference.
You forgot to mentioned the FM engine.
I like that there’s an FM synth in the YC. If the pianos are the same engine in both cp and yc I would want a yc73 because I’m mainly a piano guy. And I love “real” fm sounds. But anybody know if the yc73 has the same keybed as the cp73? And did Yamaha solve the cp73 black key velocity problem yet?
Does the recent YC update include the entire grand and upright library?
My dilemma is looking at the YC or Nord Electro 6 HD. I prefer the feeling of the nord but I like the YC had actual drawbars with hammer weighted. Me personally thanks the Yamaha is heavy but I also think there acoustic are too heavy too.
Hi Jack! finally I see u without a pijiama! great videos btw... see u soon!
MIchele from Italy
What's a good board to go for if you want more sounds like at 17:00 and onwards, the FM sounds I believe they were. Synths and leads etc. That pad sounded beautiful
If syths are your thing then the mod/montage range are incredible
@@jonmy7 thank you for that recommendation, I'll look into it!
You might also want to look into a Roland VR09 which has nice organ and synth sounds and pads and costs less than a YC. Many UA-cam reviews on it that you can check out.
@@stevestone7085 cheers! Will do
Glad they offered these with 88 weighted key versions,lot of posters here ask why,I say why not,I don’t like light synth or organ keys anyway.
I have a CP88 but the organ is clearly wanting which is why they came out with the YC I guess. I too prefer a lighter action for organ also, so I’m planning to get a Roland VR09b which has great sounding organ with drawbars, synth sounds and synth type action and is cheaper than the YC. Best of both worlds with those two keyboards.
Hi. I am in the same boat leaning towards the Roland. Did you ever get to compare the VR730 and the VR90? Especially the action. Thanks.
@@volksbahn I forget if in my research I learned that the keyboard for the vr09 and vr730 are identical or not. I ended up getting a vr730 which has a waterfall keyboard which is great for organ and synth.
@@stevestone7085 Thanks. That actually confirms it for me. My only hesitation is that these are old boards and I might regret if for some miraculous reason Roland comes up with a newer version soon. But thanks for the nudge.
@@volksbahn I got mine used but in great condition on Reverb. It was a bit less painful to the wallet.
@@stevestone7085 good tip. Will check. Thanks.
🥰 . . . I think you guys should include the keyboard amps you're using with the particular keyboard you are demoing so that we'll have the idea which keyboard amp sounds good with this or that and so on . . . Thanks thanks, Benjie/Philippines. 🥰
The YC series is Yamaha's brilliant idea. Unfortunately, this model has a terrible flaw. It cannot be that in the 21st century an instrument costing $3,000 can combine only two sounds plus Hammond. Nord has been struggling with this for many years, users complained about too few options for combining sounds. Yamaha has created an instrument that could be a competition for the Nord, but it is only for the Nord Electro... is it really impossible to update the system where, after turning on panel A or B, 1 and 2 appear on the display? Thus, we gain a combination of 4 sounds from sections A and B??? I think such a move would greatly contribute to the success of this instrument.
Absolutely fantastic review. You've answered my main question around these two instruments - like whats the purpose of each? and you've answered it for me. Funnily enough I was about to buy a CP88 last year (from a retailer I won't name) and ended up buying an inline speaker array system instead 🤪. Still intend to get a new master piano keyboard and these two are definitely in my line of sight. Thanks for your review i'll definitely be checking out your website when looking to purchase.
I’ll take the CP88 thank you very much.
Just to confuse the matter further, there's the MODX8. The MODX has the AWM CFX piano sample and many electric pianos. It has a full FM synth built in. And it has some decent organs. There is a very complete and complex FX section that easily beats the other two. Plus it has a color touchscreen which lets you program sounds and create set lists.
So why is it actually cheaper than the CP or YC? It has a cheaper keyboard action, although it's usable. It has no physical drawbars. And you often need to use the touchscreen or even menus when accessing functions, whereas the YC and CP have dedicated switches for most things, like a Nord. But in many ways, it's much more powerful, with sound changes through the Superknob and a high level of virtual and FM synth programmability.
If you're mostly a pianist, than you might prefer the simplicity and better action on the CP. If you're mostly an organist, than the YC is specialized for that (although the waterfall key models might be better). But if you're looking for an inexpensive, portable keyboard that does it all and offers a wide range of sound and performance options at a good price, than the MODX8 is hard to beat. The MODX does nearly everything that the flagship Montage does for about half the price (and with far more portability).
Interesting. That answers my question about why the YC's FM engine isn't programmable
I tried the modx. It is certainly more powerful but lots of menu diving and a touch screen. It wasn't for me, and I ended up very happy with cp73
Modx makes a great satelite but the 8 is a pointless mainboard as it has a terrible action. You might as well stick with keybeds 10 years older. Modx sweetspot is its power under the hood. Mini-montage effectively. Hence the initial part of my comment.
Most of our expression is in touch. The mp11se being the only competitor in class. That is 'why'. CP/YC is a world leap in key response. If you don't believe me refer to Belle and Nahre. They have classical experience as well but unlike me extensive YT channels of their own.
@@libertylizard_ Sure, if you want the absolute best action and don't care about portability than the MP11SE is great. And, as I said, for pure pianists or pure organists, the CP or YC have advantages. For that matter, if price and portability don't matter, than the Montage is great. But the MODX is still a great all-arounder at a great price. It's not for everybody, but neither are any of these other boards. And the action isn't the best, but it's better than a Nord Stage that costs way more.
Oh we can agree on Nord. It's a waste of money compared to a whole variety of other options. I can see it in the sense that some people must have a do all single board. But those settings are few and far between.
I see little purpose in the YC personally as I do for the Nords with those respective features (hybrid). Dedicated devices offer more overall I feel.
I wasn't bashing the Modx - I own the 7, as well as many other Yamaha devices. I am not a brand snob in any sense.
Rather just to note that one must take into account the key things something offers.
Montage lite- is how I come to refer to the modx's and thats not an insult; as the portability affords you the same benefit that not carrying the Mp11 tank around does. Having access to the FM and more is priceless.
For a keybed though its less than ideal for a main performance now that CP is on the floor. Something I see as the compromise between keybed and portability over the Kawai Mp11 as above.
As you can use the audio interface on booth and mix the audio output to keyboards, it could be an important decision on that, since you could use a good laptop to work together. There is great area on top right to put the new Mac book air M1.
Which speakers/monitors would you recommend for home for these keyboards?
Yamaha HS5, HS7, or HS8, which ever you can fit in your home. HS7 is the sweet spot. Terrific speakers.
Did something go wrong with this upload? Mono audio!! - really not doing these Yamaha boards justice at all. In decent quality stereo the CP's pianos sound extremely good but thin and one dimensional in mono.
So I bought a CP 88, & i was really happy with it...for about a week.The bloody thing started playing up at a gig. The reverb kept switching itself on by itself & the banks of lights kept flickering when played vigorously, then finally the whole thing powered off. Shame, & a surprise as iv'e owned several Yamaha keys in the past & I've always found them super reliable & never had an issue, although i've since discovered that i am not alone in having problems with the CP.
I returned it & went for the YC88 instead, as the CP's were out of stock for a month anyway & I didn't want to wait. I'm pretty glad i did, even though i'm primarily a piano/electric piano player rather than organ & synth player, it's good to have the option without dragging around a separate keyboard for one or two tunes, & the key beds are the same.. Also the effects are much more extensive & usable on the YC.
Touch faux ivory no problems yet, but unlike last time i haven't thrown the box it came in away quite yet.
Recently purchased and sent my CP88 back. There was very noticeable keybed noise on every note while playing all piano samplings (even though the piano sounds were excellent). And the Ab above the octave plinked in stead of resonating. Musicians Friend took it back right away but, all in all a bad experience. Yamaha's has developed a slap together factory mentality and to save money really low balled the Keybed. Cheap aluminum frame as well. There are many great features on it but the above mentioned issue's were a deal breaker.
This reads off… Cheap aluminum? Other company’s using plastic out here. Ok you got a lemon?
@@alexanderyozzo sadly there are more CP88 lemons out there than most realize. Many frustrated owners have reached out to me. Just alerting the keyboard community. Yamaha needs to own up to this.
Do they have the vintage keys pack installed? (won’t get fooled again preset etc)
This is a very good in depth review.
Great video!! When using the non-organ FM patches, do the drawbars let you mess with the patch on the fly, or is that only for FM organs?
Also - if they've put a whole FM engine in there, doesn't it seem weird that you can't do your own FM patches? They're so close to having something to at least vaguely rival the synth aspect of the Nord... but they haven't gone there :/
Agreed. Nothing in the stage piano sector rivals the Stage in terms of synth. But I guess that's partly why the Stage is so vastly expensive. It also has a much worse key action than the CP/YC if you're coming from a piano background.
They should have given the YC88 and YC73 waterfall style organ keys. It doesn't make any sense to give an organ-centric keyboard weighted keys.
Waterfall key option on at least the 73. A choice of Hammer, Waterfall and Synth (FSX) on all models would be even better.
If you play Waterfall action on a hammer action kybrd you will need triage on your hands. Seems like Yamaha didn't think that one out.
Thanks, I think I would like a cp73 next to the yc61.......;??? Or is that stupid?
wondering the same thing! did you try that?
Yes, and the two need each other as they feel very different. The CPs keyboard is so smooth so refined but not for organ sliding. That’s why
@@peterschut63 I'm considering the same set up for my church. i have yc61 and church is looking to buy a keyboard of their own
With one has better keybeds?
Can you load different FM sounds into it? Are the FM sounds multi-part layers?
Only if Yamaha release more FM sounds via OS updates.
Great video Jack!!! I bought the YC88 for the exact reasons you differentiate the two. I passed on the CP88 because for a rock band it is way too limited. The YC88 has it all, meaning everything that the CP88 was missing, and they already did an OS update with new pianos which I updated immediately. They say every 6 to 8 months there will be more. No brainer for me. Love the piano and what it is capable of !!!! AMAZING action. Is it me, or does it feel a bit better than the CP88? I had the CP4 before I bought the Korg Grandstage 88 {having passed on the CP88} The CP88 action was supposed to be the same as CP4 and YC88 but I did not feel that and I am loving the YC 88 action. Your thoughts since you A/Bd them?
According to the Yamaha website the YC and CP have the exact same action.
Is cp-73 and yc-73 the same keyboard as well ?
Next video idea
They have the same keybed.
Thank you for this comparison, read my mind AIGGOOOOO... you rock JACK
Great comparison and nice playing too Jack! :)
This was very insightful.
What would you say is the best amp for live performance with these keyboards?
the best i do not know, but a Yamaha Stagepas 400BT works fine & offers flexibility.
I wish you demonstrate Apogee symphony desktop
You’re paying more money for the organ samples I believe that the effects R different on the yc more effects
They both are very GOOD !
When you layer the sounds on the cp88. Can you control the volume of each sound in each layer? Also can you save the layered sound as a Preset?
Yes & yes
Jack , nobody seems to give me answer to this question - does the cp88 have a "smart chord " facility so I can get a suitable chord pressing only one note ? it may be called something else ....
As far as I'm aware, no.
Yc73 & 88 with weighted keyboards seems crazy to me, but Yamaha must have done their research.
Great Job Jack you are not a bofoon. Great video and playing.
This is very helpful!
Great buddy...how do I reach you...?through the Co...right?
If I manage to save up this year, I would get aYC88 for christmas.
No one cares what you’ll get punk
Get the CP and a dedicated organ. Don't buy hybrids if you have any intention of taking music seriously. They are wasted money outside of very niche band settings.
It's the YC73 for me. I want those drawbars but I don't want weighted keys.
Sorry mate. The YC-73 has balanced hammer action keys. The only semi weighted key model is the YC-61. The YC-73 may not be as heavy as the 88 but it will have a little weight to it.
Able Sam I'm not worried about the weight too much. I'm pretty sure the balanced keys aren't as heavily weighted as the 88key model. Weighted keys make no sense on a keyboard that's so heavily skewed toward organ players.
@@officialWWM I hear ya. Yamaha has a reputation for some for doing sketchy things on their products (not in a bad way). I think it mainly has to do with the fact because they make high end pianos (CFX,C-7), an 88 key model was necessary for them. Plus I am sure they also had pianists in mind when creating this product.
Able Sam I would love an 88 key version with waterfall keys that could split the into top and bottom manuals. I don't care about weighted keys cause I'm not a pianist.
@@officialWWM Check out the Kronos LS and the Hammond SK-1 88. They are both 88 semi-weighted waterfall keys.
Does the CP88 also have slippery white keys? I liked the Roland 2000 for its wood/ivory textured keys
Good question but apparently no one wants to answer.
No
CS88 and DX88 coming soon from Yamaha? Would be dope no? :)
There is already a FM engine on the YC.
does yc have a leslie simulator speed
This is just awesome 🔥
Thank so much for checking out this Nerdy Shiz my G Xxx
Cool video
Triple layering! CP88 wins… unless you play a lot of organs and need drawbars. Then the YC is for you.
Great videos by Andertons i love , but the sound of this one is not as good as the others
Thank you so much for going over the effects sections! I didn't realize the YC had such an advantage over the CP. I had to sell my CP73 and want to get another but after watching this the YC is sounding pretty darn good to me 🤔
I wouldn’t say it has an advantage. It’s just different. He kinda undersold the CP effects and said a few incorrect statements. On the CP Reverb can be either global or independent per sound. Same with delay. Piano has one effect section, EP has two, synth has 1. Which are kinda focused for their respective sounds. But you can put rotary on piano, or auto wash on synth with the use of advanced mode.
…it doesn’t. The key difference is the organ, for the rest, esp. Piano, it’s either CP being slightly ahead or head to head… demo is slightly misleading.
Great info thanks👍
Faça uma demo do piano Noire🙏
why why why such a SMALL display???
1. Do they have the same keybed? 2. do they have the same FM capability?
1) Yes. 2) No - no FM in the CP. As Jack said, all samples.
Yahamas virtual tech is nowhere near as good as Kawai’s virtual tech. Yahama does not have the LET UP feature on their action, nor even midi thru ports Eithor which is what has always kind of turned me away from them. It makes you wonder why they’ve made boards for years but they haven’t followed kawais example or made a board similar to them. Maybe one day I’ll get a yc88 but I’ve always been a kawai guy.
Great review Jack!
I saw a YC88 today - and was immediately drawn to the small silver coloured switches - they look and feel cheap and nasty - something you would use on a home made kit. You can buy these for 20p! Its put me right off. I'm wondering what the designers were thinking - there are classier looking toggle switches available
Cutting costs and pinching pennies.
yp88 was on sale online for the same price as a CP88 today, easy decision
Do they have the same amount of piano sounds?
No - the CP has some pianos the YC lacks.
Se o YC e o CP fosse um único, seria imbatível! Acho um pouco tolo a yamaha não colocar todo seu potencial em 1 único stage! Esse seria "o sonho de consumo"
How well does the ck88 compare to the yc88?
CK is lower fidelity and rightfully more affordable.
How do these compare to the Modx8, for instance? Especially in terms of playability, feel, action, as well as piano capabilities? How are these different?
Also it doesn't seem like the YC is that much more expensive than the CP.
At current prices it varies from between £300-500 more. The cheapest you can get the YC88 for right now is £2,000 (and to be honest that's an aggressive price drop - elsewhere it's at least a few hundred more than that) while the cheapest you can get the CP88 is £1,700. As for the MODX, worse (lighter) action by far. Very playable, but if you're coming from a piano background it probably won't do. (It has decent piano patches, though e.g. CFX, S700.) On the flip side, infinitely more sounds and sound crafting, arps, patterns, scenes, motion sequencer etc. It's a full work station, which also means much, much more menu-diving.
@@duketranslucent3rd Thanks. Yes, it's a percentage difference between CP and YC, but not like it's TWICE or such.
As for the Modx, I hear the action is better on the Modx8 than the smaller versions. Did you refer to the Modx8 specifically?
I'm not from a serious piano background, but the concept of me getting a keyboard is because I don't want to, and don't warrant, a real piano, and I'd like to get back into playing. I have an old DX7, but I haven't played in a while, and partly because that action just isn't up to snuff.
So I'm torn a bit between having the additional synth capabilities, or a better piano replicator. To me, it comes down to how strong each one is, in each regard. If the Modx8, for instance, is 90% as good as the CP/YC, in terms of feel/action, I'd probably go that way. But if it were only 40-50% as good, I'd definitely go CP/YC
@@stellijer Yes I was referring to the MODX 8. That has graded hammer action (off the top of my head I believe it's Yamaha's GHS keybed) whereas the 73 and 61 have semi-weifhted and waterfall respectively. Is the MODX 8 action 90% as good as the CP/YC88's? No where near. Probably about 60%.But again I'm talking from a pianist's point of view so others may disagree. (Indeed, some users not from an acoustic piano background find this NW-GH action too heavy.) But I'd focus on what sort of instrument you want. The MODX is complicated and menu-heavy, while these two are immediate and tactile. If you want immediacy, a (slightly) softer action and a cheaper price the Korg SV-2 is worth a look, too. Sexy as hell, too, and even has a version with onboard speakers.
Is there anything the CP88 does that the YC88 can’t or maybe not as well? For the extra money I wouldn’t think so but I think it’s a fair question for a consumer.
you can layer 3 sounds together (just 2+organ in YC) and there are a few extra sample on the CP ( boosendorfer!)
Thank you
I want to tell Yamaha...
Even though it was more expensive, if I had combined the YC88 and CP88, it would have been successful worldwide.
.....
EP, DX, piano engines are all the same...
It wouldn't have been difficult...
so i guess it's almost the same as nord stage 3 and piano 4?
We filmed a video last week comparing it to the Nord Stage 3, check it out & let us know what you think? It was a close comparison! | ua-cam.com/video/EEe1t2bs2FE/v-deo.html
@@AndertonsKeyboardDept i did but I think i didnt hear a big difference. Are you guys open? I think I will check them out.
The Nord Stage 3 and Piano 4 are two different instruments but they share the same sound set
@@tuneunleashed They both suck in terms of key action if you're coming from a piano background (much too light), which can't be said for the CP or YC.
Aftertouch on these bad boys?
Nah
Many people ask why? Why? WhyC88😅
Famous Blue Raincoat?
👍🙏🏻❤️
YC + CP
Impossible comparison. Montage/MODX are workstations.
@@duketranslucent3rd nailed it.
7:58
Why did I think he was going to play "New kid in Town" by the Eagles😂😂😂😂😂
I think Yamaha of late, have completely lost the plot. They seem to be obsesed with copying Nord with the introduction of those ghastly little switches knobs and buttons and seperate sections. Which make for a messy user interface. Compared with the Moxf8 neither of these boards come close.
Ah I love those kind of switches. And it does look way cooler than the moxf8!
Well, if you prefer the MOXF interface, than you should buy its replacement the MODX. This has a color touchscreen and improves on the MOXF in every way, but the number of switches is fairly modest, with most configuration and programming done through the touchscreen.
Horses for courses and all that. I think the Nord-esaue interface is fantastic and very tactile, wich inspires me much more to play and experiment. If you don't want that, you want something like the MODX, which I had and is a stunning machine, but menu-diving central, which for me felt too much like working at a computer.
15:20 really? Yc's piano sounds shittier
CP88 es mucho mas interesante que YC, para el estudio si ya tienes sintetizadores, sus pianos suenan mejor
Where's the beard gone 😳
@as far as 🥺
I personally use 61 keys like every day, so I'll probably never get a CP. 😭
sooooo... bottom line, if you're into organs, spring for the YC... if not, CP.
Yamaha has abandoned the CP. I'm guessing it is not selling as much.
demo in mono?! weird
Sorry, he's totally confusing me! Both KB's don't sound good enough to me! 🇦🇺😉😎
yc organ